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CAT Score vs Percentile 2024: The CAT is one of the most competitive management entrance examinations in India. Understanding the relationship between CAT scores and percentiles is very critical for aspirants targeting admissions to prestigious institutes such as the IIM colleges. In this article, we will present an in-depth analysis of the comparison between the CAT Score and Percentile 2024, break down the trend for recent years, and offer insight into how to calculate your expected percentile.
Also Read, CAT Score vs Percentile 2025, Check Previous Year Analysis
CAT Exam Analysis 2025 | ||
CAT Score vs Percentile 2024
To get an idea of how things can be in 2024, we must understand how things have been in the past. The table below shows the various percentiles you will reach based on your scores.
| Percentile | Marks in 2024 | Marks in 2023 | Marks in 2022 | Marks in 2021 |
| 99.9 | 127 | 101.43 | 109 | 124 |
| 99.5 | 103.97 | 84.29 | 92 | 110 |
| 99 | 95.13 | 76.15 | 84 | 98 |
| 97 | 78.9 | 61.45 | 72 | 82 |
| 95 | 70 | 54.86 | 62 | 73 |
| 90 | 58 | 44.36 | 49 | 60 |
| 80 | 44 | 35.5 | 36.02 | 45 |
| 70 | 25.3 | 28 | 29 | 37 |
| 60 | 19.5 | 21 | 22 | 29 |
If you look at the table above, you will see a stark decline in the marks that are required. This is primarily because of two factors:
- The increased difficulty level of the CAT.
- The increase in the number of test takers.
The paper in 2024 was much easier than CAT 2023, however, VARC was on little bit tougher side than previous year . However, we can say that a 99%ile would be around 95 marks.
|
CAT Percentile 2024 | Score in CAT 2024 |
| 99.9 | 127 |
| 99.5 | 103.97 |
| 99 | 95.13 |
| 97 | 78.97 |
| 95 | 70 |
| 93 | 64 |
| 90 | 58 |
| 86 | 50.29 |
| 85 | 49 |
| 80 | 44 |
| 75 | 37 |
Check the slot-wise CAT Answer Key on the below-given links:
| CAT Slot-wise Answer Key | ||
| CAT 2024 Slot 1 Answer Key | CAT 2024 Slot 2 Answer Key | CAT 2024 Slot 3 Answer Key |
Also Read, CAT Exam Analysis 2025
CAT Score vs Percentile 2024: What is the difference?
The CAT score is the raw marks of the candidate appearing for the test, and this score is out of 206 (This year in CAT 2024). Raw scores are determined by the total number of correct answers minus the total wrong answers. But raw scores are not what translate into percentiles.
The CAT percentile is the candidate's relative performance with respect to the performance of other candidates. For example, a percentile of 99 would indicate that the candidate performed better than 99% of the total candidates who have taken up the examination.
CAT Score Vs Percentile 2024: Quant
This year quant was on little bit easier side than CAT 2023, as a result of which students needed to score almost 33 to get 99 percentile in CAT 2024 as compared to 26.5 in CAT 2023. The below table provides you the score Vs percentile for Quant Section of CAT 2024.
| Percentile | Score |
| 99.9 | 45 |
| 99.5 | 36.5 |
| 99 | 33 |
| 97 | 25 |
| 95 | 22 |
| 90 | 17 |
| 85 | 13.7 |
| 80 | 11.6 |
| 75 | 9.92 |
CAT Score Vs Percentile 2024: LRDI
This year DILR was on little bit easier side than CAT 2023, as a result of which students needed to score almost 38 marks to get 99 percentile in CAT 2024 as compared to 28 in CAT 2023. The below table provides you the score Vs percentile for DILR Section of CAT 2024.
| Percentile | Score |
| 99.9 | 50.1 |
| 99.5 | 41.4 |
| 99 | 37.8 |
| 97 | 30.8 |
| 95 | 27 |
90 | 22.5 |
| 85 | 19.5 |
| 80 | 17 |
| 75 | 14.95 |
CAT Score Vs Percentile 2024: VARC
This year VARC was almost on similar level as CAT 2023, as a result of which students needed to score almost 40 marks to get 99 percentile in CAT 2024 as compared to 39 in CAT 2023. The below table provides you the score Vs percentile for VARC Section of CAT 2024.
Percentile | Score |
| 99.9 | 55 |
| 99.5 | 44 |
| 99 | 40.3 |
| 97 | 33.54 |
| 95 | 30 |
| 90 | 24 |
| 85 | 20.42 |
| 80 | 18.2 |
| 75 | 15.60 |
How to Convert CAT Score to Percentile?
Several aspirants are eager to know how CAT scores translate into percentiles. There is no straight conversion formula in the 1:1 format.
However, yes, there are ways, namely, the CAT Score Calculator 2024, which helps to estimate this relationship. Normally, the conversion of scores to percentiles depends on factors such as:
- The overall number of test-takers.
- The difficulty level of the exam.
- Distribution of scores.
Many online tools provide an approximation of your percentile, based on your sectional and overall raw score. It is suggested that you use these to arrive at an approximate idea of what your percentile could be for CAT 2024. Most of these are available after the raw scores are out
Also Read, CAT Response Sheet 2024, Release Date, Download Link
Expected CAT Score for 99 Percentile
Reaching a 99 percentile is considered the ultimate achievement that a CAT aspirant can achieve in terms of securing an admission to top IIMs and other elite business schools in the country. Though the 99 percentile doesn't guarantee an admission in top B-schools in India, but plays a vital role in getting shortlisted for the MBA colleges. The expected CAT score for a 99 percentile helps students estimate the number of marks they will need to obtain to secure a rank among the top 1% of candidates.
This percentile has been highly critical because institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta generally shortlist candidates falling in this percentile range.
This mark has generally hovered between 80 and 95 out of the total marks in recent years, depending upon the general difficulty level of the test. Being a test that is designed to be differently difficult every year, CAT undergoes a process called CAT normalization process whereby the score required for a certain percentile is adjusted across all 3 slots. This is because the required raw score for 99 percentile is a bit higher in easier years, while in tougher years, even with a lower raw score, the coveted percentile may be secured.
This normalization process will ensure fairness across different shifts and papers as CAT exam is conducted in multiple slots.
Moreover, the marking scheme for both multiple-choice and non-MCQs adds to the complexity of CAT. There is negative marking for incorrect answers, so candidates have to take a strategic approach to the examination, balancing speed with accuracy.
For this reason, getting a 99 percentile in CAT 2024 will require not only good fundamentals but also the art of overcoming the pressure of a competitive environment.
Given all of this, you can say the year 2024 won't be very different either. Despite the difficulty level last year, we can safely say that a 99%ile would be around 90 marks.
Also Read, CAT Result 2024
Minimum CAT Score for IIMs Admission 2024
The minimum CAT score that can get one into an IIMs varies from institute to institute and also from one program to another. As a general fact, the older IIMs-like IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, and IIM Calcutta have higher percentile cutoffs.
Most candidates are required to score above the 99.5 percentile mark. (This is the case even for IIM Lucknow) This is primarily because these are the premier institutes of the country and getting into them is no easy task.
However, if you have a favorable profile - if you are a girl who has strong academics (above 95%ile in 10th and 12th), fine graduation scores and academic diversity (above 80% in grad and preferably in a BA. English or Journalism course) - you can get an offer of admission even around 95%ile.
For IIMs like Shillong, Kozhikode, Mumbai - a safe score would be 99%ile. For newer IIMs, try to score above 96%ile and you will have very high chances of admission.
Key Takeaways:
In older IIMs, aim for a 98-99 percentiles or more.
In new IIMs, you might get away with a 90-95 percentile, though higher always is better.
CAT Score vs Percentile 2024: Conclusion
Understanding the nuances of the CAT exam is quite significant in the case of aspirants who look forward to seeking the best business schools. While a high CAT score is important, its translation into a competitive percentile creates the actual difference in the case of IIM admissions. Using the CAT Percentile Calculator 2024 and previous trends can provide candidates with better preparation planning and help them achieve entry into one of the prestigious institutes of their choice. If you are interested in checking your profile, you can use the free CAT percentile predictor mentioned.
